time clock

American  

noun

time clocks plural

1. a clock with an attachment that may be manually activated to stamp or otherwise record the exact time on a card or tape, used to keep a record of the time of something, as of the arrival and departure of employees.

---

time clock British  

noun

1. a clock which records, by punching or stamping cards inserted into it, the time of arrival or departure of people, such as employees in a factory

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• time clocks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of time clock

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Generally speaking, the twice-a-year daylight saving time clock changes are unpopular.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2026

New mini airport lounges have craft cocktails and mocktails, nice food offerings and a time clock.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Central tipoff and the lost hour for the daylight saving time clock change, they sure didn’t lack for energy.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2024

Once it was discovered that most, if not all, of the victims were Vietnamese, a clock showing the time in Vietnam was put up alongside the UK time clock.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2023

I walked down to the time clock with everyone else, then noticed on the chalkboard that a meeting of the union local was to begin in about half an hour.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover